Pencil.



L. H. SONDHEIM.

PENCIL.

APPLICATION man nzc.2. |914.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

LEWIS H. SON'DHEIM, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

PENCIL.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application med December 2, 1914. Serial No. 875,128.

To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LEWIS H. SONDHEIM, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of New York, county and State of New York, haveinvented a new and Improved Pencil, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to that class of pencils in which the lead isprojected beyond the casing according as new writing points arerequired, and provision is also made for permitting the lead to bepushed back within the case whenever desired.

The object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive pencil of lightweight, which may be operated without complicated movements, and Iattain this object by using only one tube in the interior of the casingand by constructing said tube and the pusher which is actuated by thesame-and which in turn acts upon the lead-f-in such manner that the leadmay be projected or fed forward and then held in its advanced positionby the simple forward and rearward movement of the outer actuating partsof the pencil, which separate lateral movement of said outer parts,distinct from said feeding movement, is provided to release the pusherand the lead when the latter is to be returned Within the casing bypressure upon the leadpoint.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, formin a part ofthis specification, in which simllar letters of reference indicatecoresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of a pencil embodying my invention, the partsvisible being; in the normal position showing the pencil ready foruse-Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the parts in their positionat the finishof a lead-advancing move prior to their being returned totheir normal positionf-Fig. 3 illustrates a modification in theconstruction of the casing, the same being extended by the attachment ofa metal ferrule. Fig. 4 is a view of -the rear portion of Fig. 1,showing the recess in the casing which in practice is covered by thesleeve-Fig. 5 is a similar view of the rear portion of Fig. 3.-Fi 6 is aView of the front and rear ends o the leadfcontaining actuating tube,showing part of the series of recesses in same. Fig. 6^ shows thereverse side of said tube with its wide longitudinal slot-Fig. 7 is asectional elevationl of a portion of the pencil showing a modificationby the use of a coiled spring-Fig. 8 is a cross section of the pencil,taken on the line in Fig. 2 and showing the pusher-pawl resting in oneof the recesses of the actuating tube. Fig. 8A is a similar crosssection but showing the tube rotated from its position in Fig. 8, andthe pawl resting upon a solid portion of said tube. Fig. 9 and Fig. 9^show modifications of the method of preventing the pusher from movingtransversely. Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation showingthe constructionof the pusher and pawl, and Fig. 10A shows a metal blank from which thebody of the pusher is formed.-All the figures except the last are shownmore or less enlarged.

The casing or shell A is preferably made of wood tapered at the forwardend and has a longitudinal bore B to receive the lead F and its holdingand adjusting mechanism, presently described. At the tapered end of thecase the bore B' is of such width as to exert a slight friction upon thelead. Opposite the point where' the tapered end merges into thecylindrical part of the case the bore widens, and from this point thereis a longitudinal groove C which communicates with the bore B andextends to the rear of the casing as shown in Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10. Inthe preferred form of the invention the bore B Awidens still farthernear the rear end of the pencil to accommodate an eraser as shown inFig. 2, or to accommodate an eraser and a coiled s ring as in themodification shown in Fig.

In the bore B is placed an actuating tube D having a longitudinal slotld as shown in Fig. 6^ and a series of recesses d ranging lengthwise ofsaid tube apiroximately opposite the slot d (Fig. 6) aid tube close t0its rear end has the pin holes d through which the pin d passes as shownin Figs. 2, 6 and 7.

It is obvious that in place of recesses cut out from the material of thetube D for the purpose of providing surface edges upon which the end ofthe pusher-pawl may rest, such edges can be produced in other manner, asfor instance bya stamping process mentioned in Patent o. 469,754 issuedto me March 1, 1892 and shown there in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The lead Fts the tube so that, while it is prevented from shaking therein, it willnot frictionally bind it.- Within the actuating tube D is loosely Fitteda pusher E consisting of a body (formed from a blank of spring sheetmetal of the shape shown in Fig. 10A) and a pawl e as shown in Fig. 10.The forward part of the pusher, e', which abuts the lead F, has tubularform, while the rear part e2, connected therewith by the narrow strip e3has the form of a U the ends flaring slightly outv ward, and these endswhen compressed into the groove C will exert a containing hold upon theside walls of said groove sufficient to hold the pusher in its positionwhile the tube D is moved rearward and also to prevent said pusher frommoving transversely in the casing when the tube D is turned.

As I consider the combination of a transversely stationary pusherrovided with a pring pawl and an actuating tube having a 'wide slotthrough which a part of the pusher projects, the-tube being adapted tobe turned partly around said protecting part so as to change therelative transverse p'osition of the tube and the pawl, as a materialpart of my invention, I have shown modifications in Fig. 9 and Fig. 9^by which this relative movement may be attained by means gifl'ering fromthose shown in the preferred orm.

Another feature, which I consider as a material part of my invention isthe construction of the actuating tube D, which differs from the tubeused in Patent No. 426,742 granted to me April 29th 1890, in having theseries of recesses, which provide pawl-engaging surface shoulders,placed opposite or approximately o posite the position of the widelongitudmal slot of said tube, as it would be practically impossible touse a tube, as shown in said former patent, through the longitudinalslot of which the connecting element between a part of the pusher and apart of the pencil-casing (necessary to restrain the pusher fromrearward movement with the receding tube) has to project, together witha spring-pawl so placed as to engage the teeth or recesses which in theformer construction adjoin one edge of said slot.

The pawl e* is formed of a piece of spring wire which is firmly held inthe tubular part of the pusher, its forward part e5, which extendsthrough and beyond the part e2 of said pusher, being of diminished sizeso as to be iiexible, and its end e is bent to form a detent.

Surrounding the outside of the casing A near its end (or its metalliccontinuation A' oblong recesses H which extend from side` to sidethereof, and which in practice are covered b the sleeve G. The extent ofsaid recesses lengthwise may correspond to the distance which either twoor three of the series of recesses d occupy upon the tube D, inelusiveof the spaces between them, and their extent laterally is so measuredthat the pin da can travel a distance approximate to the width of theslot d of the tube D.

The pin d passes through the pin holes off the sleeve G, through therecesses H and through the holes d2 of the tube D and is fastened in anymanner so that it cannot fall out. The relative position (laterally) ofthe groove C with the recesses H is such. that when the pin d is locatedat that side of the recess H where it is shown in Fig. l (and which forbrevity I will call the right-hand position) the corresponding positionsof the sleeve G and tube D will place the recesses d of said tube inline with the spring end and detent e of the pusher pawl, whlle if thesleeve is rotated so as to carry the pin d3 to the opposite side (asshown in the equivalent H' of the recess H in Fig. -and which I wiilcall the left hand osition) the point of the pusher pawl w' l have beenpressed into the sharp corner of that recess d in which it had beenresting, and thence under the surface of the vtube d and will then be inline with the unbroken range of metal at the side of the recess-points.

In the modified form, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the rear end of thecasing is extended by the addition of a metal ferrule A which isimmovably attached to the casing in such way that its outer surface willbe in line with the surface of the wooden part. In fbi.; form it will bepossible to use either a recess H of the shape shown in Fig. 4, or tosubstitute ,for it a bayonet joint recess H as shown in Fig. 5, theobjection to the use of the latter shape in a wooden part being theliability of the bordering part of the case to break. In either shape ofrecess the sleeve G, pin d8 and tube D can be moved lengthwise in the fright-hand position, and can be rotated to the left hand position whenrequired, the difference being merely that movement lengthwise in theleft hand osition, which would be without practica effect, would beestopped when the recess was of the shape H.

I have shown the construction of the preferred form of the inventionwithout the employmen't of the coiled spring which is genalso preferablyinto the bore B and into the slot of the erally used in automaticencils, and the sleeve G after being pushe forward has to be drawn backby and, and this method is used in the modication 3 and 5. However, ifdebe used in either and the parts atshown in Fi sired, a coile spring macase to return the sleeve tached thereto to their normal position(lengthwise) as shown in Fig. 7, the forward end of the spring I restingupon a shoulder a.' in the casing A, and its rear end upon a washer d*which latter rests upon the pin d. l

In Fig. 9, I show a modification of the manner of preventing the pusherfrom being caused to co-act with either the `rotary movement or therearwardly longitudinal movement of the tube D by friction between saidtwo lvl-ments In place of the wide groove C there is a narrow groove orslit C', and in place of the two flaring parts e2 of the pushes there isa simple rib e" which is attaf-hed lengthwise to the rear part of thebody of said pusher, whichin this construction-may be of tubular formthroughout its length. the rib eT beingof sufficient thickness Lo have ajamming old between the opposite sides of said slit, so that the pusherwill move longitudinally only when forcibly pushed, and cannot movetransversely at all.

In Fig. 9A, I show a further modification with the same object as inFig. 9.-There is a long strip g (preferably of metal) inserted in thecasing which projects slighty tu e D. The tubular body of the pusher atits rear part is provided with a rib e8 which enters the slot of thetube D, and which has a narrow slit e into which the strip g enters andwherein it has sulicient retaining hold to prevent movement of thepusher except when the latter is forcibly pushed in a longitudinaldirection. l

It is obvious that still other means may be used for causing africtional engagement of a part of the pusher with a. part of theinterior of the shell, of sullicient potency to prevent the pusher frombeing carried rearward by accidental friction with the rearwardly movingtube, while said pusher is held transversely stationary during therotation of the tube by unyieldmg lateral contact of one of its partswith a resisting part of the shell: and I consider any method ofattaining the combination of these respective functions-relative to thepusherby equivalent means as within the scope of -my invention.

The operation of the pencil is simple- When a long lead has iirst beenpassed into the bore B and into 'the tube D from the point of the casingand the pusher carried rearward (the sleeve, pin d and tube being in theleft-hand position) the sleeve is rotated to the right hand, the pin dduring such rotation resting upon the rear edges of the slots H (or H).The end e" of the pusher-pawl will then be in line with the series ofrecesses d of the tube D.

If it is now desired to advance the lead the sleeve G is pushed forwardand then drawn back, and this movement is repeated until a desiredlength of lead point has been projected. During the forward movement thepoint of the pawl which either was already in engagement with the rearedge of one of the recesses d', or has engaged such recess during th'efirst part of the forward movement of the tube D (which co-acts with thesleeve G) is moved forward and the tubular part e of the pusher whichabuts the lead F projects said lead through the pointof the casing, theholding power whirh the pusher has through the frictional contact of itsHaring parts @2 with the sides of the groove C being overcome by thedirect force exerted in the movement. During the return move of thesleeve to its former position and the consequent rearward move of thetube D, the pusher is held stationary by the mentioned frictionalholding power of its parts e2 which overcomes any slight incidentalfriction of the tube upon the pusher, while the point of the pawl ridesover the intervening recesses d. to move the lead rearward, the sleeve His rotated to the left hand l position, turning the tube D in the samedirection-As the pusher E is held against lateral movement by thejamming confinement of its parts ez in the groove C, the pawl-point e6is forced under the surface of the tube D (as described before) and outof line of the recesses d', and pressure upon the lead point will causesaid pusher to slide rearward in the tube D until the projecting part ofthe lead has been pushed into the casing, or until the pressure isdiscontinued.

I do not limit myself to the details of construction I have shown, ascertain parts may be slightly changed without departing from the spiritof my invention.-

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell havinga central bore, alongitudinally reciprocating and rotatably movable lead containing tubein said bore, provided with a lon 'tudinal slot and a ongitudinallyrange series of recesses forming pawl-engaging surface shoulders, a.pusher within said tube rovided with a sprin -pawl to engage saidpawl-engaging shoul ers when the pawl is in line with them, the interiorof the shell and the pusher being respectively provided with means whichco-act one with the other to restrain the pusher from turning in saidshell, one or the other pass- When it is desired l ing the exteriorsurface of the tube through its slot for the purpose, the slot of thetube being of sufficient width to allow the tube to have a turningmovement relatively to the pusher to bring the end of the pawl out ofengagement and again into engagement with the surface shoulders of saidtube.

:L In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central bore,a lead containing longitudinally reciprocating and rotatably movabletube in said bore provided with a longitudinal slot and a longitudinallyranged series of recesses forming pawl-engaging surface shoulders, apusher within said tube provided with a spring-paw] to engage saidpawl-engaging shoi1lde1s,'the interior of `the shell and the pusherbeing respectively provided with means which co-act one with the otherto restrain the pusher from being carried rearward by frictional contactof its body part or its pawl with the tube during the rearward movementof said tube, one or the other of the mentioned means passing theexterior surface of the tube through its slot for said purpose.

Il. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central boreand an inner longitudinal groove communicating with the bore, alongitudinally reciprocating and rotatably movable lead containing tubehaving a longitudinal slot and a series of recesses formingpawl-engaging surface shoulders, a pusher within said tube provided witha spring-pawl to engage said shoulders and also provided with a memberextending through the slot of the tube into the mentioned groove toengage the walls of same so as to prevent the pusher from lateralmovenient in the shell, the slot of the tube being of sufficient widthto allow the tube to have :i turning movement relatively to the pusherto bring its spring-pawl into and out of engagement with the shouldersof the tube.

4. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central boreand an inner longitudinal groove communicating with the bore, a leadcontaining longitudinally reciprocating and rotatably movable tubetherein having a longitudinal slot and a series of recesses formingpawl-engaging surface shoulders, a pusher within said tube provided witha spring-pawl to engage said shoulders and also provided with a memberextending through the slot of the tube into the groove of the shell,said member having a frictional contact with the walls of said groove ofgreater potency than the rictional contact of the pusher with the tubewhile its pawl is riding over the said shoulders during the rearwardmovement of said tube, whereby the pusher will be kept stationary in theshell during said rear ward movement of the tube.

5. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central boreand an innerf longitudinal groove communicating with said bore, alongitudinall slotted lead con taining tube within Said ore and a pusherwithin said tube having a member extending through the slot of the tubeinto the groove of the shell, said member having a jamming engagementwith opposite walls of said groove and thereby holding the pusheragainst being moved either transversely or in a longitudinal rearwarddirection by the frictional contact of the moving tube, means to actuatesaid tube from the outside of said shell to rotate said tube and to moveit forward and rearward and means to propel the pusher in a forwarddirection by the forward movement of the tube.

6. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central bore,a. longitudinally reciprocating and rotarily movable lead containingtube in said bore, provided with a longitudinal slot and a series ofrecesses, forming pawl-engaging surface shoulders, ranging lengthwise ofsaid tube opposite its longitudinal slot, a pusher within said tubeprovided with a spring-pawl to engage said surface shoulders when thepawl is in line with them, the interior of the Shell and the pusherbeing respectively provided withmeans which co-act one with the other torestrain the pusher from turning in the shell and also from beingcarried rearward by frictional Contact with the tube one or the other ofsaid co-acting means passing the exterior surface of the tube throughits slot for this purpose, the slot of the tube being of sufficientwidth to allow the tube to have a turning movement relatively to thepusher to bring the end of the pawl out of engagement and again intoengagement with the surface Shoulders of said tube, and means to imparta rotary as well as a reciprocating longitudinal movement to said tubefrom the exterior of the shell.

7. In a pencil the combination of an outer shell having a central boreand an inner lengthwise groove communicating with said bore, alongitudinally and rotatably movable lead containing tube in said bore,provided with a lengthwise slot and a series of pawlengaging surfaceshoulders ranging lengthwise of said tube, a pusher within said tubeprovided with a spring-pawl to engage said surface shoulders when thepawl 1s in line with them, and having a member extending through theslot of the tube into the groove of the shell to hold the pusher againstbeing moved transversely, said outwardly extending member of the pusheralso having means for frictional engagement with parts of the interiorof the shell of greater potency than that, which may be exerted by theincidental contact of the pusher with the tube, thereby preventing saidpusher from being carried rearward by the tube, the slot as areciprocating longitudinal movement to of the tube being of sufficientwidth to allow said tube from the exterior of the shell.

said tube to have a turning movement rela- New York, December 1, 1914.

tively to the pusher, to bring the end of the LEWIS H. SONDHEIM. 5 pawlout of engagement and again into en- Witnesses:

gagement with the surface shoulders of said E. G. S. WELLENKAMP.

tube, and means to impart a rotary as well CHARLES H. DUGRo.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,158,736, grantedNovember 2, 1915, upon the application of Lewis H. Sondheim, of NewYork, N. Y., for an improvement in Pencils, errors appear in theprintedl specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 26,for the word which read while; page 2, line 28, for the Word protectingread projecting; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthese corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of November, A. D., 1915.

J. T. NEWTON,

[BML] Cl. 1Z0- 17. Acting Cmnmiss'iom' of Patents.

